Gord Downie joins WE Day Toronto

Camila Ossa —

Gord Downie will be taking to the stage for special performances at WE Day Toronto and WE Day Family on October 19, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre. WE Day, a series of inspiring stadium-sized life-changing events that take place around the world, will see Downie perform a song from his Secret Path project, a grouping of tracks paired with a graphic novel inspired by the story of Indigenous youth Chanie Wenjack, in support of The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. WE Day is part of WE—a movement that brings people together and gives them the tools to change the world locally and globally, achieving transformative outcomes for themselves and others.

Part of a special collaboration, Downie’s performance will be followed by a speech from Mike Downie, and healing song performed by Pearl Wenjack, sister of Chanie Wenjack. Downie’s Secret Path is a collection of ten poems and graphic novel, illustrated by artist Jeff Lemir, inspired by the story of Chanie, a 12-year-old Ojibway boy, who passed away 50 years ago from hunger and exposure after trying to find his way home from a residential school near Kenora, Ontario. Proceeds from the sale of Secret Path will go to The Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation.

“I believe that each of us has a unique story to tell, and am honoured to have the opportunity to share a meaningful message with thousands of young Canadians and their families, who like me, believe that change is possible,” said Gord Downie, about performing at WE Day Toronto and WE Day Family. “Today’s youth have the power to build a stronger nation—they have the potential to be a generation of leaders who lead us on a path toward change.”

“To many, Gord Downie is considered the voice of our nation, and we are incredibly honoured and humbled to have him join the WE Movement and share his music and message with thousands of young people and families at WE Day,” said Craig Kielburger, co-founder, WE. “Through his music, Gord has united millions of Canadians and we believe his voice and message will continue to inspire future generations, encouraging them to take a stand for what they believe in and continue to push for change.”

WE has been empowering young people to transform communities at home and around the globe for over 20 years—now the movement is also empowering families across the country to live WE. On October 19, 2016, 20,000 students and educators will come together to celebrate the 10^th WE Day Toronto, for a full-day, live event. Following the daytime event, families will join the Air Canada Centre for the inaugural WE Day Family event, starting at 6:15 p.m. ET. WE Day Family is designed to help families bring the power of change into their homes by bonding around causes that truly matter, raising caring and compassionate children, and setting them on a path for success.

Also announced today, Multi-platinum, JUNO and MMVA Award-winning recording group and WE ambassadors, Hedley will be joining Downie and previously announced WE Day Family speakers and performers, including Lilly Singh, Barenaked Ladies, Nelly Furtado, Rick Hansen, Margaret Trudeau, and more. WE Day Toronto will see Downie joining another star-studded lineup, including Zendaya, Jason Derulo, Macklemore, Lilly Singh, Hedley, Winnie Harlow, Chris Hadfield, Penny Oleksiak, and WE co-founders, Craig and Marc Kielburger, along with many more.

In partnership with MTV, and alongside National Co-Title Sponsors RBC and TELUS, WE Day Toronto will bring together 20,000 students and educators to celebrate the commitment they have made to take action on local and global causes they care about and inspire another year of change. Following the daytime youth event, the inaugural WE Day Family event will take place. This event, made possible by RBC, will bring together thousands of families for an evening of inspirational speakers, world-renowned performers and presenters, sharing their personal stories of leadership and triumph.

WE Day Toronto will be taped for a special broadcast premiering Monday, November 28, 2016 at 11 p.m. ET on MTV and Much. The special encores the following day at 8 p.m. ET on MTV, and Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV.

As supporters of WE Day Toronto  National Co-Title Sponsors, RBC is helping youth believe in themselves, take on leadership roles and be inspired to take action to make the world a better place, TELUS supports the We give where we live® initiative, believing in the power of technology and communications to improve the lives of Canadians. With the support of RBC, WE Day Family provides parents the advice and tools they need to raise socially conscious children.

Learn how to join the WE movement as a family or be part of the WE Day Family event.